How does Priceline work?

Question

I named my own price on tickets and Priceline accepted it. Is that what I will really pay? Or is that considered my "offer" and I will actually pay a higher price?

Answer 1

I can't tell you how they work, but I can tell you what they are at. All they are doing is changing the nature of your question. Instead of answering the question "How much is it to go to..." they answer the question "I have x US Dollars, WHEN can I go?" The reason many bids fail is simply because the lowest fare levels are booked up. In fact, priceline is - well, let's just say sailing very close to the wind. In fact, the fares they have are no different than any other travel agent really, be it off line or online, high street or internet. All they aim to do, is take the lowest fares for any given route and then wait for someone to get near the fare and match that fare with a date. For example, London to Budapest you can get for about GB Pounds 20 plus tax, so about 50 UK Pounds. Now, you happen to bid 50 UK pounds and suddenly, whamo! You can go next Thursday! The fact that any old travel agent could have done exactly the same thing is a minor detail. So, all you have to do is turn your question to any travel agent around and say "What is the lowest fare available from A to B, irrespective?" and then ask "Okay, so when is it available?" It's really just a matter of Jo Public suffering from Internetitis - the belief that if I get something from the internet I must, by definition, have got a bargain.

Answer 2

Priceline was very good at one time but recently I haven't had much luck with them.

Basically you book a flight and don't choose the airline and the windows for travel that priceline gives you is quite large but they pick the time of your flight.
You give them your credit card information and then accept whatever flight or hotel they give you.
Be prepared for an early morning flight with at least one stop over and be aware that usually flghts are through Delta.
It's good for one person but not for traveling with a family

Answer 3

Get all details befour you pay.
Who is the carrier. Time of flight. If Direct.
etc etc